19 Comments

  • July Archives

    What great photos.Very few have appeared from those heady times [69 to 78].I worked there from 69 untill 81 managing stores like The Squire Shop,The Village Gate,Cassidy and Thackerays .A road that was the centre of influence for all types of people from all over the UK for fashion and music .Really needs a good book writen for this time
    regards
    jimmy

    • Chris Stammers

      Austin’s clothesville the Squire shop J S Covent gdn. So cool . Sounds ambience etc innovative plus. I’ve just watched the long awaited J S the modernist much as I enjoyed it I felt it didn’t recapture the magic of the time but how could it? John Simonds modest visionary still .

      • Nicholas Hart

        Hi . My name is Nick Hart .I worked for Village Gate in Kings Rd. early 1970s .Jim Newark who ran Oxford St Branch got me a Saturday Job at 18 yrs working with the Tailors ( Angelo etc. ) in basement of Cassidy 1 kings Road Chelsea. Always remember that cans of Fosters Beer was negotiating Currency for a fast alteration.
        Great time and vibes .
        I Went full time with the firm working with Ian and Ash above Antiquarious in Kings Rd. in the accounts dept. Jeff K had his office there with his pal Richard Young and the great Philip Start. . The first person I knew who breezed down the Kings Rd in his White ? Porsche 911 .
        I had my 21st birthday party at Ashe’s house in Ladywell SE London.
        Then I went onto working with Len and his gang in the original Chelsea Warehouse and became part of the Van driving delivery team. Going to each shop on the round.
        K1 . The Iranian guy in Cassidy 2 became a great friend . Remember George Best ( footballer)had a flat above “Chelsea Washing “ Laundrette and Pizza shop next door and also Angelo Castangio ( Top tailor) is still a lifelong friend whom I still see regularly and he still has an alteration business in the Kings Road . I took the job driving for Len in the warehouse because as a perk you got to take the “ New Brown Gown Van “ home with you so free transport !!! I used the van at weekends for a mobile disco 🕺.
        Remember Chris in Croydon Branch well as they were my last drop off before home in Sourh East London.
        Happy memories .
        If you are still about Mr Jim Newark I would love to thank you so much as you rescued me from a boring city office job and introduced me to the real world of high fashion .
        Remember Jeff K and his Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible and matching VW Beetle Convertible. .
        Great times indeed. High Fashion .
        Loads more memories of the times and I’m still up in Chelsea every week.

  • Charles Smith

    Wonderful photos
    I worked at Quincys in Brewer street 1969 – 71
    Anyone remember that shop. Was in Shepherds Market as well

  • Antonio guttilla

    Hi worked @the village gate in 1978 in Kensington fantastic days and Oxford street 👍👍

    • Martin Grant

      Are you the Antonio who had an extremely Camp Friend named Gordon? We all worked at Sidney Smith on the King’s Road,

  • Max Zyta

    I worked at the Squire shop and the Village Gate shop in the early to mid 70s. Phillip Start was the manager at the Squire shop, and a guy called Richard Young worked there at the time, he became a very good photographer to celebs

  • Peter

    I was the manager of the Squire Shop
    Philip Start trained me.
    Then Village Gate Oxford St.
    remember Neville and Agi the tailors upstairs.
    Peter Collins xxxx

    • Greg

      Hi Peter, I remember you well. Clogs with suits. You were manager at Croydon aswell, great days.
      Regards Greg

    • paxo

      I don’t remember their names but I think the older one was I think a Jewish guy & the younger one was black or halfcast but both very friendly & helpful

    • Les

      Hi Peter, I remember you. I worked with at The Squire Shop, Croydon. We won the inter shop football tournament in Hyde Park I think. Great days and so many memories. I remember the clogs and your curly hair.
      Les. Samuel.

    • Saturday John

      I worked on Saturdays & in my student holidays mainly in the Village Gate underneath Jeff’s offices. Peter Kirby? was the manger at that time before he replaced Philip at the Squire shop. Peter Dilloway, Eddie Litton,Micky Moore were also there & Kojo across the road in the small Cassidy.
      Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse next to the shop.
      Great memories & fabulous clothes with great staff discounts!
      I was the best dressed student!

  • Martin

    Hi Antonio did you have a very Camp friend named Gordon? if so I think I knew you at ” Sidney Smith”

  • ken creed.

    Hi all,I thought after reading all your wonderful memories i would contribute.. I managed several shops in the Kwintner/simons empire..loved every moment.. finished as Gm., then unfortunately the big recession hit retail…Then opened QUINCY. with Stewart who also owned Jones in the Kings road.. made some great friends in those times.. sadly lost contact over the years… Also before Richard Young became the best celeb photographer He took all my wedding Photos outside the old registry office… wonderful times..big thanks for the memories.and pics… ken creed..💕.

    • Saleem Daronville

      Ken great to see you on this feed.
      Jeff Kwintner certainly was the John Peel of fashion. So many retailers have touched the magic of Kwintner and Simons.

      To all those from the VG Empire I would love to hear from all and we should get a book published. My mate Eric Musgrave could coordinate the publication.

      Ken I would love to catch up with you
      Best wishes,

      Saleem Daronville
      Am on Instagram and FB ❤️🥂

  • Saturday John

    I worked on Saturdays & in my student holidays mainly in the Village Gate underneath Jeff’s offices. Peter Kirby? was the manger at that time before he replaced Philip at the Squire shop. Peter Dilloway, Eddie Litton,Micky Moore were also there & Kojo across the road in the small Cassidy.
    Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse next to the shop.
    Great memories & fabulous clothes with great staff discounts!
    I was the best dressed student!

  • John

    I worked as a Saturday boy & during student holidays for several years mostly in the Village Gate under Jeff’s office in the early 70’s.
    Peter Kirby? was manager,Peter Dilloway & Eddie Litten also worked there & later Micky Moore. Not forgetting Len & Danny in the warehouse.
    Great clothes,I was the best dressed student in London

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